Novak Djokovic crushes Rublev in style and reaches the semi-finals of the Australian Open | Australian Open 2023

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Andrey Rublev is the sixth best tennis player in the world. He is hardworking and honest, and with these qualities he built a great career at the pinnacle of his profession. At the age of 25, he is at his physical peak, and should appear at the top of the sport for years to come.

Against the best, the best, none of this means anything. On Wednesday night, Rublev walked into Novak Djokovic’s lair, night at Rod Laver Arena, and for two hours stood helplessly on the baseline as the nine-time Australian Open champion tore him apart 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to get back into the semi-finals. .

“The last two games, playing against really good players, players of form, to beat them dominantly in three sets is definitely something I want at this moment,” said Djokovic. “Something that sends a message to all of my remaining opponents in the lottery.”

This is Djokovic’s tenth foray into the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Every time he reached this point in the most successful tournament of his career, he won it. The Serb has also so far won 26 consecutive matches in the tournament, tying Andre Agassi’s record in the open era.

Unseeded American Tommy Paul awaits Djokovic in the semifinals, who continued his run by defeating 20-year-old compatriot Ben Shelton, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to achieve the best result of his career.

Hours before Djokovic destroyed Alex de Minaur in front of the home Australian crowd on Monday night, sending a message to the rest of the court, Rublev survived five sets of psychodrama of middling quality against Holger Rohn, recovering from twice a match point down. Winning a tiebreaker in the final set. As Rublev worried about his next opponent, his voice trembled with fear.

Over the past two weeks, Djokovic’s hamstring condition has been getting a lot of attention. Early on, with the temperature rising, he moved temporarily on his wing back and in the fourth inning he stumbled after trying to plant his left foot to hit an open backhand.

His game is so complete that it didn’t matter. He has a lot more strengths than Rublev, and most others, and many more options. He served very well, dominating the baseline with his forehand and dropping to the net to play some amazing volleys.

The most interesting aspect of those early stages was how Djokovic followed an attacking line that most players would try to avoid against Rublev: he constantly sought to hit Rublev’s forehand as they traded and methodically broke the Russian’s famous strength. It was a successful tactic, but also a message, a reminder of his superiority in all parts of the court.

Novak Djokovic serves against Andrey Rublev at Rod Laver Arena. Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

In his second service match, Rublev seemed to panic. He punctuated an error-filled game with a double fault to give the first break at 3-1. Djokovic grabbed the second half and then pressed hard throughout the match. He quickly shone with his backhand – deflecting returns at his opponent’s feet and breaking serve consistently by standing on top of the baseline, hitting his forehand relentlessly.

While Djokovic received great support, during the match he spoke with the referee, James Keuthavong, about a spectator constantly harassing him. “If someone crosses the line and starts making comments that are not about supporting the other player, they just want to provoke and insult, then crossing the line is something I act on,” he said.

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Despite the emphatic result, there were several tight, tight matches in which Djokovic had to pull himself out on his serve. Every time the moment required, he found a great serve or seamlessly switched defense into an escape attack.

This tournament was the quarter-final of the Grand Slam for Rublev and he is now 0-7 in these matches. For all its positive qualities, in comparison with the best players in the world, the Russian is one-dimensional. He relies on attacking from the baseline with his serve and forehand, and when all else fails, he attacks more. He is helpless when the best players neutralize his obvious strengths.

Few players in history have been as adept at exposing weaknesses as Djokovic, and Rublev’s game did not withstand his questioning. It was another fine performance, another exposure to this tournament’s best player ever in full flight, and while he continues to manage his hamstring, he has positioned himself to win his tenth Australian Open title.

And while Djokovic faces Paul in their first meeting on Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Karen Khachanov in the other semifinal, hoping to reach the final for the first time. It remains to be seen if there is anyone left who can deliver anything more on the most important court of Djokovic’s career. Over the past fifteen years, not many have.

“I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses. I’ve been in this situation many times in my life, in my career, I’ve never lost in the semi-finals at the Australian Open. I hope it stays the same,” said Djokovic. “.

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